Country Director Niger

The “Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund Deutschland (ASB)” is a German aid and welfare organization with more than 300 branches at national, regional, district and municipal levels all over Germany. More than 1.2 million members provide a broad social basis for our organization and more than 20,000 employees as well as over 17,000 volunteers form part of ASB ensuring a high level of quality in areas such as rescue services, civil protection and social services. Since its foundation in 1888, ASB has acted as a politically and denominationally independent association ensuring a high level of continuity and reliability.

ASB’s Foreign Aid Department provides both direct emergency relief to people hit by man-made or natural disasters and longer-term rehabilitation measures designed to promote recovery and to rapidly help restore the livelihood of refugees, internally displaced persons and other vulnerable groups. ASB currently has a portfolio of more than 100 relief, rehabilitation, development and Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction projects in countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Greece, Haiti, Indonesia, Iraq, Kosovo, Nicaragua, Niger, Philippines, Serbia and Ukraine.

ASB launched its operations in Niger in 2005. Since 2015, we have focused our activities on the pastoral zone of North Tahoua (Tilia, Tchintabaradene and Abalak departments) on activities in response to the Malian conflict to assist Malian refugees, internally displaced persons and host communities in Niger. Our humanitarian and development projects focus on environmental protection, emergency education, access to water and social protection. Strong cash components are usually part of our projects. ASB-Niger employs 20 staff including 1 expatriate staff and implements mostly in collaboration with national NGOs.

ASB is currently seeking expressions of interest from qualified and committed individuals for the following position:

Country Director Niger

The Country Director is responsible for the overall leadership and strategic development of the ASB Country Programme in Niger. He/She is reporting to and supervised by the respective Desk Officer at ASB’s National Federations headquarters in Cologne, Germany.

Duration: 12 months (extension foreseen depending on performance)

Start: 01 11 2021 or at your earliest availability

Location: Niamey, Niger

Vacancy: International position

Salary: ASB offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience

Key responsibilities include:

· Programme Management: supervision of Project Managers re the implementation of running projects, including supervising the implementation of all project components implemented through local partners. Timely development and submission of required project documentation including evaluations, interim and final project reporting.

· Programme/Project Development: ensure ongoing programme and project development through continuous fact-finding, assessment and proposal development in close cooperation with ASB HQ including fund-raising with donors present in the country.

· Representation: liaison and representation activities with the Government of Niger, UN agencies, the INGO community, Donors, Partners, the Media and other external stakeholders.

· Partnerships & Alliances: maintaining existing as well as building new partnerships on strategic and implementation level.

· Financial Oversight: supervision of Financial Managers in controlling all financial expenditures and oversight of financial management systems to ensure compliance with ASB’s as well as donor financial guidelines, procedures and policies.

· Reporting: submission of monthly progress reports, donor reports, end of year reporting and the preparation of an annual report for external publication.

· Internal Communication: regular and close communication with ASB’s HQ in the process of further development of the ASB’s approach in Niger in line with ASB’s overall mandate.

· Safety and Security: management and coordination activities to ensure the overall safety and security of staff and compliance with security guidelines and procedures.

Key Requirements:

· Relevant University Degree (degree in humanitarian/development or refugee studies an advantage)

· Minimum five years of relevant work experience abroad on senior
management level, preferably in a Refugee/IDP setting

· Knowledge and understanding of project management tools (PCM, Logical Framework analysis, objectives and indicators etc.)

· Strong proposal development skills

· Budget development and strong budget management experience

· Experience with international donor agencies such as German Foreign Office; German Ministry for Development Cooperation; USAID/BPRM or others

· Strong leadership skills and a supportive management style (experience managing national staff)

· Proficient knowledge of administration and logistics

· Strong communication skills, with excellent written and spoken French and English (knowledge of German an advantage)

· The ability to inspire and work independently

· MS Office proficiency